Burning muscle Instead of fat?

K

kccruz

New member
Okay.....I was working out ....we checked our heartrate.....mine was at 80%...the instructor..told me to get it back down to 70 or 60% because anything over 70..you start to burn muscle and not fat. Is this true?
I was never aware of this ( or I just didnt read this part in the books)....
Anybody know?
 
that's a mis-statement. The general statement is that you will start to burn muscle AS WELL AS fat. However, the exact facts are as follows:
- it's bad to say muscle, as it should be noted as protein ... it's just that your muscle will be the main source of that protein
- yes, you will burn 'protein' at the higher HR's
- however, you will still be burning more fat than you do at the lower level because you are working a lot harder

It depends what your goals are, as far as which HR you exercise at. If you aren't into heavy weight training, or you have a lot of extra weight to lose, it's better to exercise at a higher HR.

If you trying to tone AND lose weight, then it's recommended to stay at a lower HR. For a guys, most of the time, we exercise in the lower HR because we are also trying to gain muscle.

.. but, on that note, you can help counter that issue. By eating a good source of protein before and after your workout, your body will burn that instead of your muscle (because that's what it's really looking for ... is a source of protein).
 
That was very informative...but now I have a dilemma....I work out on hydrolic machines....of course the faster you pump the more resistence...I am getting muscle build up....( with fat still over it)....The thing is that I weigh 304...so I have ALOT of weight to lose.....but with that much weight...I want to make sure I do toning so that I dont have so much excess skin flopping everywhere....Im kinda at a catch 22.......
Today...I kept my HR in the 60 to 70s and I felt like I wasnt getting any kind of work out.....I dont want to burn my muscle....
What type and how much protein do you suggest eating before my workouts?.....Would a protein bar do....or an egg....?....
When ever I lose enough weight and Curves no longer gives me the type of results I want...I will start going to Ballys....and there I want to start weight lifting.....to help sculpt my body.....My major problem area is my stomach....( from years of yoyo dieting and crap like that)...If I did not have this problem area I would be at least 2 to 3 sizes smaller....and a classic pear/hourglass figure.....I really want to take this weight off but not sacrifice muscle build up.....
 
Don't be fooled! Your body has adjusted over time to keep up with any increase in weight. So if you do have some weight to lose, you also have alot of muscle. I'm thinking you have amazing calves most people would die for. With this said your trainer (hoping you have one) should be ensuring your program doesn't not target muscle growth. Once the weight starts coming off you will see your structure and from there a good trainer can determine which areas you may or may not need work on for a nice shape. Keep going and don't get frustrated. I find when you have several people commenting it can be confussing - especially when you don't know what their background or knowledge is based from.
 
Okay I walk to my gym..it is almost 2 miles there...is that a good enough warm up so that I can really work out hard once I get there?..or do I still need to warm up?...( I have a med to light sweat when I reach the gym)...and do I still have to cool down after working on the machines?..or is my walk back my cool down?.......
 
It takes any where from 30 minutes to 45 minutes for me to get there..( I have quite a few red lights I have to stop at)....And once I get there I DO start to run....Warming up for 15 minutes would be one time around the circuit.....( we are suppose to go twice around.....but if it is not busy they let us go 3 times....so maybe that is what I will do)........
 
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